Argentina v Switzerland - World Cup result as Julian Alvarez wonder goal earns Lionel Messi's holders extra-time win and semi-final with England

Lionel Messi's Argentina set up a World Cup semi-final with old foes England after Julian Alverez's stunning extra-time strike helped sink 10-man Switzerland 3-1 in a tense quarter-final in Kansas City.

Messi swung over a corner for Alexis Mac Allister to head the opener on 10 minutes, but Argentina struggled to control an energetic Swiss side.

They deservedly equalised on 67 minutes when Dan Ndoye slammed a low finish into the net after working a neat one-two with Ricardo Rodriguez.

The mood and momentum of the match ebbed away from the Swiss on 72 minutes when forward Breel Embolo was sent off for simulation off the ball after earning a second yellow card.

Referee Joao Pinheiro initially booked Leandro Paredes of Argentina, but under new guidelines, VAR intervened, and the evidence was pretty damning as the match official altered his decision before red-carding a crestfallen Embolo, who was needlessly booked in the first half.

Despite being under the cosh, Switzerland were relatively comfortable until Alvarez picked up a pass from Jose Manuel Lopez, before sending a magnificent swerving shot crashing high into the net on 112 minutes from long distance.

Lautaro Martinez tucked away the third in the first minute of four added to extra-time when he slammed the rebound into the net after Gregor Kobel had halted a shot from sub Thiago Almada.

European champions Spain and France contest the first semi-final on Tuesday night in Dallas, before England and Argentina collide 24 hours later in Atlanta, with the top four seeds reaching the last-four stage of the World Cup for the first time.

Argentina get the job done and the holders are through to take on England in the semi-finals in Wednesday in Atlanta. What a match that should be.

The red card has changed the whole match, but Embolo has only himself to blame. No need to dive and has cost his side so dearly in the end.

Game, set and match. Swiss are caught up the other end of the park as Lautaro Martínez slides the finish into the net after Kobel did well to make the stop from Almada. Four minutes added, but it matters little now.

All or nothing now for them as Ruben Vargas replaces Remo Freuler. Jose Manuel Lopez has been booked for dissent too. All turning a bit nasty in the middle of the park. Such is the tension of the occasion.

Julián Álvarez with a quite stunning finish from 25 yards. High and hard. Swerves high into the net beyond Kobel. What a strike! Is that the goal that sends the holders to Atlanta to face England in the last four?

Jose Manuel Lopez arrives to offer some height for these cross balls with Leandro Paredes departing. Argentina looking for one moment of magic.

Swiss are looking very comfortable in their shape, but it is perhaps a dangerous game to be playing when you keep giving Messi time. Argentina just keep coming and coming.

Otamendi has emerged to take over from Romero. And he makes a timely clearance from the driven Xhaka ball from out wide. Very mindful defending.

15 more minutes to play in Kansas. Can Argentina finally break down the 10 men of Switzerland?

Gonzalez heads the Messi cross across goal, but no takers on hand. Messi then with a corner, but Romero heads over as the extra-time break finishes at 1-1.

But it is all being played in front of the Swiss defence at the moment. Mac Allister out wide, but he sends the cross long and straight out of play. Meanwhile, Gonzalez is hobbling after taking a dull one.

This time Lautaro Martinez has earned a yellow card for a late nibble on Akanji. Argentina trying to work the ball quicker to open up space with all the red shirts in their own half.

Almada with a late one on Freuler before Manuel Akanji fouls in the air trying to head home a Xhaka free-kick.

Denis Zakaria departs to be replaced by Ardon Jashari. Swiss will probably take their chance with penalties now you suspect.

But the finish from Thiago Almada flies into the side netting. Those behind the goal must have thought it was in. Not sure Kobel had that covered if it was slipping inside the goal frame.

Lautaro Martinez sees a shot deflect wide of goal as the holders continue to seek out space among the red shirts. Kobel down to make the stop from Almada. All one-way traffic.

And back with Argentina applying the pressure to the Swiss goal. Enzo Fernandez departs with Thiago Almada introduced.